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Abstract:

A points-based social networking site gives its users the opportunity to
earn points by viewing other profiles, inviting their friends to join the
site, commenting on other profiles, viewing advertisements, and other
activities on the site. The points may be referred to as popularity
points. The site may rank users by the number of popularity points they
earn at the social networking site. The site may allow the creation of
groups for schools, universities, cities, businesses, hobbies, and the
like. Users can belong to one or more groups and may be ranked within
each of their groups based on their number of popularity points. In some
embodiments, the present invention may be designed as a stand-alone site,
having a points-based recognition system. In other embodiments, the
present invention may be incorporated into an already-existing social
networking site, allowing the site to recognize users by points earned.

Claims:

1. A points-based social networking web site comprising: a database
storing points of each user of the web site, the points being earned by
the user by performing certain events within the web site.

2. The web site of claim 1, further comprising one or more groups
presented to the user, the user being able to join one or more of the one
or more groups.

3. The web site of claim 2, wherein the users are ranked within each
group of which the user has joined according to the number of points of
the user relative to the number of points of other users of each group.

4. The web site of claim 1, wherein the users are ranked according to the
number of points of the user relative to all the other users of the web
site.

5. A computer readable medium having computer usable program code
embodied therewith, the computer program code comprising: computer
program code configured to permit a user to join a points based social
networking web site; and computer program code configured to allow a user
to earn points by performing actions on the points based web site.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the computer program
code further comprises computer program code enabling the user to
associate with one or more groups.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the computer program
code further comprises computer program code offering a browse mode,
wherein the browse mode displays other members from the groups the user
is associated with.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the actions include
viewing other user's profiles, viewing advertisements, commenting on
other user's profiles, and adding another user as a friend.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the computer program
code further comprises computer program code permitting businesses,
organizations and individuals to purchase ads to be shown in the browse
mode.

10. A method of employing social popularity, comprising: incorporating a
points based system in a social networking website; and ranking
popularity of a user profile by comparing the points earned by a user
against other users.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional
patent application number 61/324,680, filed Apr. 15, 2010, the contents
of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to internet-based social networking
and, more particularly, to a points-based system that gives points to
users of the site.

[0003] Currently, social networking sites do not accurately reflect the
activity of users on the site. Current social networking sites do not
give users incentive to view other profiles and advertisements on the
site.

[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for a social networking site that
gives users the opportunity to earn points based on the user's activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a points-based social
networking web site comprises a database storing points of each user of
the web site, the points being earned by the user by performing certain
events within the web site.

[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a computer readable
medium having computer usable program code embodied therewith, the
computer program code comprising computer program code configured to
permit a user to join a points based web site; and computer program code
configured to allow a user to earn points by performing actions on the
points based web site.

[0007] In a further aspect of the present invention, a method of employing
social popularity comprises incorporating a points based system in a
social networking website; and ranking popularity of a user profile by
comparing the points earned by a user against other users.

[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become better understood with reference to the following
drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a flow chart describing the use of a points-based social
networking site, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention; and

[0010]FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a points-based social networking
site, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is
made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the
invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the
appended claims.

[0012] Various inventive features are described below that can each be
used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

[0013] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
points-based social networking site that gives the users the opportunity
to earn points by viewing other profiles, inviting their friends to join
the site, commenting on other profiles, viewing advertisements, and other
activities on the site. In some embodiments, the points may be referred
to as popularity points. The site of the present invention may rank users
by the number of popularity points they earn at the social networking
site. The site may allow the creation of groups for schools,
universities, cities, businesses, hobbies, and the like. Users can belong
to one or more groups and may be ranked within each of their groups based
on their number of popularity points. In some embodiments, the present
invention may be designed as a stand-alone site, having a points-based
recognition system. In other embodiments, the present invention may be
incorporated into an already-existing social networking site, allowing
the site to recognize users by points earned.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a social networking web site 10 may
allow users to create an account for the site via the internet.
Typically, a user may start with zero popularity points in their account.
However, incentives may allow some users to open their account with a
positive popularity point account balance. In some embodiments, a user of
an existing social networking site may be given the opportunity to enroll
their account to begin earning popularity points.

[0015] After joining the site, users will be able to associate themselves
with one or more groups. A group can be, but is not limited to, a
university, school, city, business or hobby. All users may be ranked
within their groups by the number of popularity points they have.

[0016] The present invention (as a social networking web site or as an
existing site add-in) may include a browse mode, as shown in FIG. 2,
where the site may select a few other members from each group the user is
associated with. By obtaining more popularity points, the member's chance
of being selected for another user to see in a browse mode may increase.
When a user clicks another member in browse mode, that member's profile
may be loaded and shown to the user. The user may earn popularity points
in exchange for viewing another member's profile, thus increasing the
chance of his or her own profile being viewed by other members.

[0017] Users may have additional opportunities to earn popularity points
while viewing another member's profile. Popularity points can be earned
by adding them as a friend, commenting on their profile, and
participating in other activities on the social networking web site.
Users can also earn popularity points by inviting new members to join the
social networking web site. A user can lose popularity points by
exhibiting behavior that results in complaints.

[0018] Businesses, organizations and individuals may have an opportunity
to purchase ads to be shown in browse mode. The ads may be rotated with
other member profiles, and users may earn popularity points for viewing
them. The present invention may allow advertisers to target their ads to
specific groups, thus reaching a target audience by location, interest,
and other factors.

[0019] The social networking web site may use a server infrastructure
capable of storing and maintaining a database, while providing users with
access to the service. Users accessing the service may use a personal
computer or similar device, web browser and an Internet connection. The
various features described above may be programmed in a programming
language and stored on the social networking web site's server
infrastructure. Each account and related information, including the
number of popularity points, may be stored in a database within the
social networking web site's server infrastructure.

[0020] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to
exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth
in the following claims.